The Cukes Are Going Crazy!! (pics)

[kpatrick925]

Originally Posted by rnewste

Yes, you have plenty of time here in the Bay Area for a Fall crop.

Let me know if you need some Sweet Success as they will produce sooner, and I can get a few in the mail to you tomorrow.

Raybo

Raybo, I would love some seeds. Not sure how to PM my address.

[rnewste]

Just click on my screen name to send me a PM with your mailing address.

Raybo

[rnewste]

Seeds were sent out this morning. As you are only a few Zipcodes away, you may get them tomorrow, or by Monday at the latest.

I looked at my planting log, and I started the Sweet Success seeds on June 8, transplanting them into the EarthTainers on June 28. So they've gone from "zero" to 96 inches in the span of 64 days. At this time of year, I recommend you direct sow, rather than transplant seedlings from starter cups. I would also shade them a bit from our intense sunlight this time of year, until they get a good start.

As the next 3 months in Northern California are typically our warmest period, you should be picking your first crop by mid-October. Depending on our first freeze date typically in early January, I am hoping to still be getting cucumbers off the vine for the Christmas dinner table.

Raybo

[kpatrick925]

Awesome!! I will handle them as you recommend. Can't wait to try them!!

[kpatrick925]

Raybo, got the seeds and planted. Thanks again!! Looks like the weather has taken a turn for the better so hopefully everything will germinate a grow!!

[tjg911]

your pictures of sweet success make me drool! i think of all the cukes i grew over the years sweet success was my favorite. tender skins and a wonderful tasting cuke.

does anyone know if sweet success would grow ok in a 5 gallon pail? i would never use pesticides in my garden but i might spray the base of a container plant. i could let them grow up the posts for my deck as it's the south facing side.

tom

[rnewste]

kpatrick,

Be sure to keep the new seedlings shaded, and misted. The hot Sun this time of year can really dry out the surface moisture and kill the seedlings very fast. I would recommend daily mistings, as well as using a piece of shade cloth over the seedlings until they get to be about 4 inches tall.

Tom,

Sweet Success is an excellent climber, and if you keep the 5 gallon container watered daily, they should grow up the posts just fine.

Raybo

[Mark0820]

I agree with feldon30. I think the shade is a big part of your success. I started planting my cucumbers under the outer edges of a large maple tree so they would get partial sun and partial shade. Everytime I have planted cucumbers in full sun, they wilt just like feldon30 said (doesn't matter how much water they get). We have hot and humid weather here in July / Aug. (but not quite as hot as Texas).

[rnewste]

Well, the ones growing in the direct sunlight on top of the lattice seem to be doing fine, but I now need a ladder to get to them:



I'm going to have to make a tool to reach them and snap them off while standing on the deck:



It seems to be getting "darker" now when I am sitting out there - - "Attack of the Killer Cucumbers" was once a B Movie, right??

Raybo